Today I ventured to Botetourt County, VA north of Fincastle to a location I had not visited in two years. It’s amazing the difference 150 miles makes in the timing of butterflies. Species that are just emerging near home are ether done or close to done south of here. The wildflowers were beautiful and made for a dazzling background canvas. Partly to mostly cloudy skies prevailed and temps hung around 80 degrees. Butterflies where everywhere and not cooperating much to the chagrin of yours truly. Or, when they did finally sit it was only for a microsecond, bad angle, sun behind the subject, all of the usual ‘why me’ excuses. top billing went to the Gemmed Saytr, a new lep for me in Virginia. It was also nice to see the diminutive Dreamy Duskywing. They have, on average, a later emergence than Sleepy Duskywing and are noticeably smaller. Also, the “chain link” on the dorsal fore wing is typically closed when compared to Sleepy DW. Looks like the weather is going to be more cloudy and wet over the next several days. We need the rain however, so not a bad thing.
The following FOY’s were seen:
Juniper Hairstreak Gemmed Satyr Question Mark Dreamy Duskywing Pepper and Salt Skipper
(Click on any image to enlarge)
